Possible Passage of Charles City Chicken Ordinance Back on Track

An ordinance to allow residents to own chickens within the City limits of Charles City is getting a chance to take flight once again.

The ordinance got “cooped up” last month, failing to advance following a 2-2 vote in which Councilwoman Krista Noah was absent and not available to vote in favor of the ordinance. Thus, the approval process had to start over from the beginning, which included reconsideration of the first reading of the ordinance during the Council’s September 9th meeting.

Councilman Patrick Lumley again argued that allowing chickens would lead to yet another nuisance for Code Enforcement to deal with.

Councilman Jeff Otto had similar nuisance concerns.

Councilman Phil Knighten offered a less cynical take.

Mayor Dean Andrews also was optimistic the ordinance will be efefctive.

Noah added that allowing chicken ownership could bring positive results.

Like the first first reading of the ordinance, the second first reading of the urban chicken ordinance advanced on a split 3-2 vote, with Noah, Knighten and Phoebe Pittman in favor and Lumley and Otto against. The ordinance must pass second and third readings before becoming official.